Next story:

Maine Democrats' executive director stepping down

AUGUSTA, Maine — The executive director of the Maine Democratic Party says he’s leaving the post he’s held for three years to head up party efforts to win elections to be held in November.

Arden Manning says he’ll move into his new role as Coordinated Campaign director on March 1. Manning says he’ll focus on building the party’s grassroots organization and running the Democrats’ field and media campaigns.

One of the goals will be to recruit a town organizer in nearly every town in Maine this winter. Manning also says the campaign will partner with county Democratic committees around the state.

A search process will begin for a new executive director of the state party.